Off Books and Re-Admissions
Extract from University of Dublin Calendar 2012-13, General Regulations, pages H14 - H15.
§62 Students must pursue their undergraduate course continuously unless they are permitted by the Senior Lecturer to interrupt it, normally for a period of one year, either by going ‘off-books’ or by intermitting their studies for extra-curricular reasons.
§63 Students wishing to interrupt their course and go 'off-books' should apply through their tutor to the Senior Lecturer. Requests to go off books in the following academic year, (or where a student has not registered for the current academic year), should be made by completing the appropriate form(MS Word). Such permission will only be granted to students who have completed the academic exercises of their class, i.e. are already entitled to join the class above on their return to College. In exceptional circumstances the Senior Lecturer, after consultation with the head(s) of school(s) or department(s) or course director as appropriate, may permit students who are not in good standing to go 'off-books', where to do so in the judgement of the Senior Lecturer is in the best interests of the students. During the period of interruption students are not required to keep their names on the College books, and do not pay an annual fee or a replacement fee. Junior Freshman students who seek to discontinue their course before 1 February will normally be required to withdraw.
§ 64 Students who have been permitted to go off the books may return to College as detailed below, depending on the circumstance of their going off the books.
(a) Junior Freshman students with permission from the Senior Lecturer to go off the books after 1st February and be re-admitted to the same course of study at a specified date must apply for re-admission by completing a special application form, obtainable from the Admissions Office website or from the Admissions Office directly.
(b) Students who for reasons of ill-health have allowed their names to go off the books can only be re-admitted, even in the current academic year, at the discretion of the Senior Lecturer. Such students will be required to submit to the Admissions Office before the 1st of August a certificate of fitness from a medical referee, nominated by the Senior Lecturer, as evidence that they can continue their studies.
(c) Students with permission from the Senior Lecturer to go off the books for an academic year and sit examinations in that year must complete an examination form, giving details of year and subject to be taken, and pay an examination fee of €382. Examination forms may be obtained from the Examinations Office directly or from the Examinations Office website at and must be completed before February. Such students are not required to apply for re-admission and should register for the following academic year as set out in the general regulations concerning registration.
(d) Students with permission from the Senior Lecturer to go off the books for one or more academic year(s) for reasons other than medical are not required to apply for re-admission and are expected to register for the academic year that they are due to return to College as set out in the general regulations concerning registration.
( Calendar H14-H15 §§62-64)
Applicants are required to state their reasons for going off-books under one of the following categories:
- Academic : for example, students of modern languages who wish to spend a year off books in order to improve their language skills or students who wish to spend a year abroad at an institution with which Trinity College does not have a student exchange agreement
- Financial
- Medical : please enclose appropriate medical certification
- Personal
Requests to go off books in the following academic year, (or where a student has not registered for the current academic year), should be made by completing the appropriate form, which can be downloaded through the link below. This form may be submitted at any point during the academic year. Permission to go off-books before confirmation of annual or supplemental results may be given subject to the student being in good standing following the annual or supplemental examinations.
Off-Books (taking examinations)
Requests to go off-books where a student is not in good standing (i.e. off-books with permission to take examinations) should be made to the relevant Court of First Appeal following the annual or supplemental examination session, or by memorandum to the Senior Lecturer, who will consider the case in consultation with the relevant Heads of School(s)/ Head(s) of Discipline / Course Director as appropriate.
Students with permission from the Senior Lecturer to go off books for an academic year and sit examinations in that year must pay an examination fee of of €382. Off-books students with permission to take examinations are advised to consult with their school, department or course office before the end of Michaelmas term to confirm their examination and/or assessment requirements while off-books.
The examination fee should be paid via your new student portal, my.tcd.ie in advance of the examination session.
Re-admissions
Applicants for re-admission should consult the information provided on the Admissions Office website.
Intermission of Studies for Extra-Curricular Reasons
Information on the Intermission of Studies for Extra-Curricular Reasons